I read that the museum-kelie in Olenets preserves the personal belongings of St. John, including vestments and prayer books. It would be interesting to know if trips are organized there from Chisinau or at least from Moscow. Thanks for the show, it's good that such simple and holy places are still being talked about.
Yes, the museum-kelie in Olenets really keeps the vestments and prayer books of St. John, I saw pictures from a friend who was there last year. I don't know if regular trips are organized from Chisinau, but I understand from Moscow that groups of pilgrims leave two or three times a year. Have you ever been in person? Thanks for the comment too, it's really a simple place that leaves you with a special peace.
Yes, St. John's personal belongings are carefully kept there, I also read about the vestments and the prayer books. As far as I know, there are occasional pilgrimages from Moscow, but I haven't heard of organized trips from Chisinau - maybe it would be good to ask at a local pilgrimage agency. Thanks for the show too, that simple place stuck in my mind ever since I saw a picture of the cell.
Yes, those vestments and prayer books are most moving, I hold them exactly as he used them. I haven't heard of groups leaving from Chisinau, but last summer I went with some friends from Moscow who went by train to Petrozavodsk and from there by minibus - it was worth the whole trip. Have you ever been around those parts?
No, I have not yet been to Olenets, but I would like to see with my own eyes those vestments and prayer books of which you speak. What impression did your girlfriend give you the most from those pictures? Thanks for the practical details, maybe I can organize myself sometime.
Yes, those old clothes and books really make you feel how simply the saint lived. I was once with a small group from Sibiu and we were marked by the silence of the cell, without crowding. Did you ask any agency in Chisinau after all?
Thank you, Peter. My friend said that the vestments looked carefully sewn, but she mostly got the impression of worn prayer books, with folded pages for the evening prayers. If you get to Olenets, try to go early in the morning, it's quieter. Have you ever fished the lakes there?
Yes, those used books say more than any embroidery. My friend also kept her eyes on the folded pages during the evening prayers, she said that you could feel how they were read every day. Have you been to other small monasteries in the north, or would Olenets be the first?
Yes, those folded and worn pages say it all. I haven't been to Olenets yet, but I went two years ago to a small monastery near the Hermitage, where I saw an equally shabby prayer book from an old priest. Have you seen such personal items in other places?
Yes, those vestments and prayer books are the most moving, they seem still alive. I haven't reached Olenets yet, but last summer I went with my family to the Putna monastery and we thought it would be nice to make a longer trip to the north. Did you and your friends from Moscow stay there for a long time or just a day or two?
Yes, exactly, those pages folded at the evening prayers seem to tell the story better than anything. I have not yet reached Olenets, but I saw an equally worn Gospel at a small monastery near Constanța, where the old priest kept it by his bed. Have you been to the north, Elena, or are you just reading about them?
Yes, those vestments and books really seem still loaded with prayer, they catch you all over. We and the group from Moscow stayed only three days at Olenets, but we also stopped at the hermitage in the forest. Are you going to go north with your family this summer or did you stay in Putna?
Yes, folded pages say more than any words. I saw an equally worn Gospel at a priest in my village near Sibiu, the cover almost peeled off from so much use. Did you remember the name of the monastery near Sihăstria where you were?
Yes, those folded pages really do say more than an entire exhibition. I once went to the Putna monastery, where I saw an equally ancient Psalter held by an old monk next to his icon. You, Maria, have you read anything about St. John of Olenets, or did you just catch your heart at that picture with the prayers?
Yes, those clothes and old books really do have something that stops you in your tracks. My mother and I thought about going north this summer, but it looks like we'll stay in Putna, it's closer and easier to organize. Did you and the Moscow group manage to see other places besides the hermitage?
Yes, those folded pages are like a silent prayer journal. In our parish, the deacon holds an old Psalter from his grandfather, with the corners so dull that you can barely see the letters. What impressed you the most about the monastery near Sihăstria?
Yes, those old clothes and books really take you back in time, I stood in front of them longer than I wanted too. We arrived at the hermitage with the group from Moscow, but we didn't get to other places besides; we stopped at Putna on the way back, because it was easier with the child. What do you think, do you go to Putna only for the monastery or do you have other stops?
Yes, those old clothes and books really make you stay longer, I felt that too when I was with the church choir. My family and I chose Putna this summer, it's easier with the three children and the food on the way. Have you and your mother been to the northern monasteries before?
Yes, the old clothes and books really put you off your feet, I felt the same last time I visited. My daughter and I went to the northern monasteries two years ago, before she started college. Putna is a good choice in summer, especially with three children, the road is easier. Did you take a tent or stay at a guesthouse?
Yes, those old clothes really have a power of their own, it's like you feel the weight of the years. When we went to Putna with the girls, we also stopped at the Sihăstria Putna monastery, because it's close and it's quieter there. Did you also see Daniil the Hermit's hermitage on that road with the Moscow group?
Yes, those old clothes and books really get you, I once sat for half an hour just looking at a patchwork cassock. We and the group from Moscow did not reach the Putnei Hermitage, but on the way back we also stopped at the Voronet Monastery, because my little boy really wanted to see the "blue monastery". You and your child, what other places have you ticked besides Putna?
